SIKESTON — There was a time when men risked their lives to collect beaver pelts, a time when they were a hot commodity. It was a big business.
“It still is — it’s just not as advertised,” said Don Robinson of Malden, a professional trapper and trapper instructor. “It is still a multibillion dollar industry today.”
The trappers themselves aren’t doing nearly as well as they once did, however.
In 1808, they would get about $20 for a beaver pelt, Robinson said, which was a good amount of money in those times. “That’s why a man would risk his life going into Blackfoot territory to trap beaver,” he said.
Now, two hundred years later, “I’m still selling beavers for $20,” Robinson said.
“You’d think it would be $200,” said Butch Huber, Robinson’s brother-in- law, who formerly trapped for Huber’s Fur Company, a family business in northern Illinois.
Out of hundreds and hundreds of furs, only a few are selected for “top lot” honors, Robinson said, which can bring about $120 each. Robinson said he has had two over the last 20 years selected for the top lot.
In the 1800s, most furs ended up going to the Hudson Bay Fur Company, Robinson said.
“That company still exists today but under a new name,” he said. “It’s called the North American Fur Auctions.”
And like trappers 200 years ago, “I ship my fur up there,” Robinson said. Furs are tagged to identify their owners, graded according to color, quality and size, and baled for auction.
“They have buyers come from all over the world,” Robinson said.
He said it is interesting to log on to the Internet to track his sales, to watch his otters go to China where some end up as ceremonial robes for the Dalai Lama, to watch his beavers go to Russia where they end up as hats and coats to protect people there from their harsh winters.
Robinson started trapping 36 years ago when he met his wife. “My father and all my brothers were trappers,” said Linda Robinson.
Robinson said he soon got involved with trapping associations. “That led to an affiliation with Fur Takers Of America and that led to an affiliation with the National Trappers Association,” he recalled. “I’ve done it on the side up until the time I retired about nine years ago. I always said it would be nice to not worry about money, to trap for the enjoyment of it, for the challenge.”
Now that he is retired, Robinson said he works in his woodshop from March through November “and then November through February I trap.”
Fortunately for Robinson, skilled beaver trappers are once again in demand in this area, but not for the beaver pelts. Farmers want to get rid of beavers that build dams in their ditches.
“It’s mainly because of the damage they cause. They can flood a field overnight,” Robinson said. “The drainage districts pay me very well and I want to help them out. ... There’s not very many people doing it anymore.”
Robinson said in addition to getting more beaver pelts, area drainage district officials pay him for every beaver he removes from their drainage systems. “It helps me recoup some of my losses in gas and other expenses,” he said.
Robinson said he spent $30,000 on a truck, $6,000 on a four-wheeler, $200 for a dozen traps, many of which get stolen, all to “go out and catch $20 beavers.”
While Robinson doesn’t have to worry about Blackfoot Indians like his predecessors, some things haven’t changed.
“I go out and do it in the worst of weather,” he said. “We’re probably the craziest sportsmen out there, but I do enjoy it. You’ve got to enjoy it. If you don’t enjoy it, it’s just a whole lot of work.”
Celebrating trapping
“In 1808, trappers would go up the Missouri River from St. Louis and they’d trap fur. In the spring they’d go to a rendezvous and that’s where they would sell their fur and buy all the necessary equipment they would need for the coming season,” Robinson said.
This year, the Missouri Trappers Association will celebrate their 50 year anniversary with a Fall Rendezvous Sept. 18-21 at Arena Park in Cape Girardeau.
The event will have furs and fur products, trapping equipment and free trapping classes, Robinson said.
For more information, call Stan Berkbuegler at 573-547-2846.
